For many Family Guy fans, the voice of Meg Griffin is synonymous with Mila Kunis. However, long-time viewers and animation aficionados might recall a different voice in the earliest seasons. Before Kunis took over the role and delivered Meg’s iconic lines, actress Lacey Chabert lent her voice to the often-maligned eldest Griffin child. Chabert, already known for her roles in Party of Five and later Mean Girls, was the original voice of Meg, but her tenure was surprisingly brief. So, what exactly happened to Lacey Chabert’s Meg Griffin voice?
Lacey Chabert’s journey to becoming the first voice of Meg began in 1999 when Family Guy premiered. Prior to this animated role, Chabert had already established herself as a talented performer. Discovered on Star Search at a young age and gaining prominence as Claudia Salinger in the popular 90s drama Party of Five, Chabert was a rising star. Her early career showcased her versatility, moving from talent competitions to television dramas, setting the stage for her foray into animation. While many now recognize her as a staple of Hallmark Christmas movies, her early work included voicing Meg Griffin during the show’s initial seasons.
Chabert voiced Meg throughout the first season of Family Guy and in a few episodes of the second season. Then, rather abruptly, the voice changed. According to Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, the departure was due to contractual misunderstandings. In a 2003 interview with IGN, MacFarlane explained, “It was just purely a contractual thing. Lacey Chabert, I think there was a mistake in her contract, and I guess she had not intended to be involved for, like, the full run of the show.” He further clarified that there was no animosity involved, stating, “It was nothing – there was no tension or anything. She wanted to go, and she was very cool about it. We obviously don’t want to keep anyone there who doesn’t want to be there.”
Chabert herself corroborated this amicable parting in a 2006 interview with GameSpy. She stated, “I actually left the show of my own accord. And only because I was in school and doing Party of Five at the time.” Her commitments to both education and her role in Party of Five made it challenging to continue voicing Meg. Despite leaving, Chabert expressed no ill will towards the show or her replacement, saying, “But I think the show is hilarious, and don’t have a grudge against her at all. I think she’s a great actress.” This confirmed that the change in Meg’s voice was a smooth transition, devoid of any behind-the-scenes drama often associated with casting changes in Hollywood.
Interestingly, the show itself has acknowledged this voice transition with self-deprecating humor. In a memorable clip, Stewie Griffin travels back in time and encounters Chabert’s Meg. In a meta moment, Stewie exclaims, “Oh my god, we’re getting closer to the beginning – you’re Lacey Chabert!”. This humorous nod to the original meg voice on Family Guy showcases the show’s self-awareness and playful approach to its own history.
While Lacey Chabert’s time as Meg Griffin was brief, it marks an interesting chapter in Family Guy history. Her voice helped establish the character in the show’s formative season. Though Mila Kunis has become the definitive voice of Meg for most fans, Lacey Chabert holds the distinction of being the original, and her departure was a matter of contract and timing, not creative differences or conflict. It’s a testament to the often-unseen world of voice acting where changes can occur behind the scenes with little fanfare, and as Seth MacFarlane pointed out, “it happens…you still go to work and it’s okay.”
